Platinum giant South Africa forced by virus to look into abyss

A cow is seen near the AngloAmerican sign board outside the Mogalakwena platinum mine in Mokopane, north-western part of South Africa, Limpopo province. - Reuters filepic

CAPE TOWN: South Africa’s gold industry has been dying slowly for years. As the coronavirus undercuts the already fragile case for investment, its platinum mines may be next.

Beset by power and water shortages, alongside whipsawing government policies, South African producers have cut spending over the past decade on mines responsible for 75% of global platinum supply.